ST. LOUIS — It was another hold-your-breath moment for Avalanche fans in the third period Saturday, when Nathan MacKinnon left the ice favoring his right side. He'd just been jumped by Blues captain David Backes and driven into the ice after previous rough stuff between the teams in Colorado's 4-0 victory.

MacKinnon went straight to the Avalanche's dressing room. But in short order, MacKinnon was back on the team's bench and all was well with the star rookie forward after the game.

"I guess it's part of the game. I don't think my first fight was going to be with David Backes," MacKinnon said.

When he left the ice, "I just wanted to make sure everything was fine," MacKinnon said.

Blues coach Ken Hitchcock didn't like being asked about Roy's comment about his captain.

"Don't come in here and comment on him," Hitchcock told a Denver reporter. "I've done my commenting on him. He can say whatever he wants. He always has something to say after every game, so you guys pick up on what he wants. I'm worried about my team and the way we play."

Spotlight on Marc-Andre Fleury: It's been a good season for "The Flower," but the real test will be the playoffs, where he hasn't been good the past two seasons. He has posted goals-against averages of 3.52 and 4.63 in those seasons, with save percentages well under .900. He does have some great playoff history to draw upon, however. He made the big saves for the Penguins in their 2009 Stanley Cup championship.

Boulder is pretty good at producing rock bands, and by "rock," we mean the in-your-face, guitar-heavy, leather-clad variety — you know, the good kind. For a prime example, look no farther than BANDITS. Full Story